Vehicle for playing a ball game

ABSTRACT

A vehicle for enabling a player to participate in a soccer-like ball game is provided. The vehicle comprises a frame, a plurality of wheels mounted on the frame, means for driving at least one of the wheels to propel the vehicle and a ball carrier mounted on the frame for engaging and rolling a ball as the vehicle is propelled. In a preferred embodiment the ball carrier is mounted for reciprocation in a substantially horizontal direction relative to the frame, and a pedal is connected to the ball carrier to permit the player to reciprocate the ball carrier by actuating the pedal to strike the ball.

United States Patent 1191 Peterson VEHICLE FOR PLAYING A BALL GAME [76]Inventor: Gerald Wallace Peterson, 21 17 Placid, Carrollton, Tex. 75006[22] Filed: Sept. 27, 1972 21 Appl. No: 292,522

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS Belgium 273/118 A June 28, 1974 3/1932Italy 293/71 P 11/1910 Great Britain 273/37 5 7] ABSTRACT A vehicle forenabling a player to participate in a soccer-like ball game is provided.The vehicle comprises a frame, a plurality of wheels mounted on theframe, means for driving at least one of the wheels to propel thevehicle and a ball carrier mounted on the frame for engaging and rollinga ball as the vehicle is propelled. In a preferred embodiment the ballcarrier is mounted for reciprocation in a substantially horizontaldirection relative to the frame, and a pedal is connected to the ballcarrier to permit the player to reciprocate the ball carrier byactuating the pedal to strike the ball.

17 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Pmmmmzem samura- &

VEHICLE FOR PLAYING A BALL GAME The present invention relates to avehicle for enabling a player to participate in a soccer-like ball gameand, more particularly, to a highly maneuverable vehicle designed toenable the player to roll or strike a ball.

In the prior art, many hand-propelled and selfpowered vehicles have beendeveloped to transport a rider. None of the prior art vehicles have beendesigned, however, to enable the rider to participate in games of skillusing a ball. The present invention provides a highly maneuverablevehicle including a device designed to engage and roll a ball as thevehicle is propelled and to strike the ball to impart movement to theball.

The vehicle of the present invention comprises a frame, a plurality ofwheels mounted on the frame, means for driving at least one of thewheels to propel the vehicle, and a ball carrier mounted on the framefor engaging and rolling a ball as the vehicle is propelled.

In a preferred embodiment, the ball carrier comprises a device forstriking the ball to impart movement to the ball. The ball carrier ofthe preferred embodiment is mounted for reciprocation in a substantiallyhorizontal direction relative to the frame and actuator means connectedto the ball carrier is provided to allow an operator to reciprocate theball carrier to strike the ball.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle constructed in accordance withthe principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation of the vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation of the vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the'vehicle of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view, partially in section, illustrating aball carrier mounted on the vehicle in detail.

Referring to. FIG. 1, a vehicle 20, constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the invention, comprises a circular frame 22 ofchannel-shaped steel or other metal and a pair of spaced, parallelsupport members 24 and 26 extending across circular frame 22 and securedat opposite ends to the frame by any conventional means, such aswelding. As shown in FIG. 5, support member 26 includes a centralhorizontal portion located slightly above ground surface S, and it isinclined upwardly at its opposite ends for connection to circular frame22. Support member 24 is identical in shape to support member 26.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a strut 28 extends transversely betweensupport members 24 and 26 and is connected to the support members by anyconventional means, such as welding. A seat 30 is supported on strut 28by a plurality of vertical support rods 32. In addition, a plurality ofparallel struts 34, 36 and 38 extends transversely between supportmembers 24 and 26 to provide a foot rest for an operator of the vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment, an inflatable tube 40 is mounted on circularframe 22 to provide a bumper at the periphery of the frame. Vehicleincludes a pair of traction wheels 42 and 44 rotatably mounted onopposite sides of circular frame 22 in axial alignment for supportingthe vehicle. As shown in FIG. 5, traction wheel 44 comprises aninflatable tire 46 mounted on a rim 48. Traction wheel 42 is similar inconstruction to traction wheel 44.

Referring to FIG. 2, a first axle support member 50 is secured at itsopposite ends to circular frame 22 by conventional means, e.g., welding.Traction wheel 42 is rotatably supported on an axle 52 secured to axlesupport member 50. Similarly, a second axle support member 54 is mountedon circular frame 22 in a position diametrically opposite to first axlesupport member 50. Second axle support member 54 can also be secured tocircular frame 22 by welding. Traction wheel 44 is rotatably supportedon an axle 56 secured to axle support member 54. As shown in FIG. 2,traction wheels 42 and 44 are rotatably mounted in axial alignment alonga common diameter of circular frame 22.

In accordance with the invention, means is provided for driving at leastone of the wheels to propel the vehicle. In the preferred embodiment,this driving means comprises a pair of handles located on the tractionwheels to permit an operator to propel the vehicle in a desireddirection by selectively rotating the traction wheels. As shown in FIGS.1-4, traction wheel 42 is provided with a handle 58 extendingperpendicularly inward from its rim. Similarly, traction wheel 44 isprovided with a handle 60 extending perpendicularly inward from its rim.An operator seated in seat 30 can easily grip handles 58 and 60 toselectively rotate traction wheels 42 and 44 to control the motion ofvehicle 20. Alternatively, the traction wheels of vehicle 20 can bedriven by a motor (not shown) under the control of the operator.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, a caster wheel 62 is mounted on circularframe 22 at a position rearward of traction wheels 42 and 44. A platform64 (FIG. 2) extends radially inward from circular frame 22 behind seat30. As shown in FIG. 3, caster wheel 62 is mounted on an axle supportedby a U-shaped frame 66 pivotally connected to platform 64.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, seat 30 is located in a position behind theaxis of rotation of traction wheels 42 and 44 and in front of casterwheel 62. Thus, when an operator is seated in seat 30, his weight issupported by traction wheels 42 and 44 and caster wheel 62.

In accordance with the invention, the vehicle also includes a ballcarrier mounted on the frame for engaging and rolling a ball as thevehicle is propelled. In the preferred embodiment, the ball carrier ismounted for reciprocation in a substantially horizontal directionrelative to the frame, and actuator means connected to the ball carrieris provided to allow an operator to reciprocate the ball carrier tostrike the ball. The ball carrier of the preferred embodiment thusprovides a device for striking the ball to enable the operator to impartmovement to the ball.

Referring to FIG. 1, a ball carrier, generally 70, is mounted at thefront of vehicle 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the ball carrier includes anarm 72 which projects outward from circular frame 22 and is arcuate inshape to capture a ball 74. Arm 72 is secured at one end of a shaft 76slidably received in a sleeve 78 (FIGS. 5 and 6). Sleeve 78 is supportedby a platform 80 secured to struts 32 and 34 extending between supportmembers 24 and 26.

In the preferred embodiment, the actuator means is embodied as a pedal82 secured to the end of shaft 76 opposite from arm 72. A compressionspring 84 is interposed between sleeve 78 and pedal 82 for normallybiasing the ball carrier into an unactuated position. In FIG. 2, arm 72is shown in its normal, unactuated position, and its actuated positionis illustrated in phantom lines.

In the operation of vehicle 20, an operator seats himself in seat 30 andgrips handles 58 and 60 with his hands. The operator can propel thevehicle in any direction by selectively rotating traction wheels 42 and44 via handles 58 and 60. Caster wheel 62 allows the vehicle to beeasily maneuvered. if the operator desires to roll ball 74 in front ofthe vehicle, he maneuvers the vehicle to position arm 72 in alignmentwith the ball and propels the vehicle in such a manner as to keep arm 72in engagement with the ball. If the operator desires to propel ball 74from his vehicle, e.g., to pass the ball to another player or to shootat a goal, he steps on pedal 82 thereby compressing spring 84 andadvancing arm 72 to strike the ball. When his foot is released frompedal 82, spring 84 returns the pedal and arm to the unactuatedpositions illustrated in FIG. 2.

The vehicle of the present invention thus permits a player to engage ina soccer-like ball game while riding the vehicle by rolling a ball alongwith his vehicle and striking the ball to pass it to another player orto take a shot at a goal.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specificdetails shown and described, and modifications may be made in thedetails ofthe vehicle without departing from the principles of thepresent invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A vehicle, comprising:

a frame;

a plurality of ground engaging wheels mounted on said frame;

means for driving at least one of said ground engaging wheels to propelthe vehicle;

a ball carrier mounted on said frame for engaging and rolling a ball onthe ground as the vehicle is propelled, said ball carrier being mountedfor reciprocation in a substantially horizontal direction relative tosaid frame;

an actuator connected to said ball carrier to allow an operator toreciprocate said ball carrier to strike the ball; and

means for normally biasing said actuator and said ball carrier intounactuated positions.

2. The vehicle of claim .1, wherein:

said ball carrier includes an arm projecting outward from said frame andshaped to capture the ball.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein:

said arm is arcuate in shape.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein:

said plurality of wheels includes a pair of traction wheels mounted onopposite sides of said frame in axial alignment for supporting thevehicle.

5. The vehicle of claim 4, which includes:

a caster wheel mounted on said frame at a position rearward of saidtraction wheels.

6. The vehicle of claim 5, which includes:

a seat mounted on said frame in a position adjacent to said casterwheel.

7. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein:

said driving means comprises a pair of handles located on said tractionwheels to permit an operator to propel the vehicle in a desireddirection by selectively rotating said traction wheels.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein:

said ball carrier is located at the front of said frame;

and

said actuator comprises a pedal connected to said ball carrier to permitan operator to reciprocate said ball carrier by actuating said pedal tostrike the ball.

9. The vehicle of claim 1, which includes:

an inflatable bumper mounted at the periphery of said frame.

10. A vehicle, comprising:

a frame;

a plurality of wheels mounted on said frame including a pair of tractionwheels mounted in axial align ment on opposite sides of said frame forsupporting the vehicle;

means for driving at least one of said traction wheels to propel thevehicle;

a ball carrier mounted on the front of said frame for engaging androlling a ball as the vehicle is propelled, said ball carrier beingmounted for reciprocation in a substantially horizontal directionrelative to said frame;

a pedal connected to said ball carrier to permit an operator toreciprocate said ball carrier by actuating said pedal to strike theball; and

a spring for normally biasing said pedal and said ball carrierintounactuated positions.

11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein:

said ball carrier includes an arm projecting outward from said frame andshaped to capture the ball.

12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein:

said arm is arcuate in shape.

13. The vehicle of claim 10, which includes:

a caster wheel mounted on said frame at a position rearward of saidtraction wheels.

14. The vehicle of claim 13, which includes:

a seat mounted on said frame in a position adjacent to said casterwheel.

15. A vehicle, comprising:

a frame;

a plurality of wheels mounted on said frame;

means for driving at least one of said wheels to propel the vehicle;

a device mounted on said frame for striking a ball to impart movement tothe ball, said striking device comprising an arm shaped to capture theball and mounted for reciprocation in a substantially horizontaldirection relative to said frame, a pedal connected to said arm to allowan operator to reciprocate said arm by actuating said pedal to strikethe ball, and a spring for normally biasing said pedal and said arm intounactuated positions.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein:

said driving means comprises a pair of handles located on said tractionwheels to permit an operator to propel the vehicle in a desireddirection by selectively rotating said traction wheels.

17. The vehicle of claim 15, which includes:

an inflatable bumper mounted at the periphery of said frame.

v UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Dated June 28,1974 Patent No. 2.0, 790

Inventor(5) Gerald Wallace Peterson It is certified that error appearsin the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

In the line, Attorney, Agent, or Firm, in the Patent Heading, change"Zarabow" to --Farabow-.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of October 1974.

(SEAL) Attest: McCOY M. GIBSON JR. c. MARSHALL DANN Attesting OfficerCommissioner of Patents USCOMM'DC 6037 6-P69 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTINGOFFICE 199 0-366-334.

: ORM PO-1050 (10-69)

1. A vehicle, comprising: a frame; a plurality of ground engaging wheelsmounted on said frame; means for driving at least one of said groundengaging wheels to propel the vehicle; a ball carrier mounted on saidframe for engaging and rolling a ball on the ground as the vehicle ispropelled, said ball carrier being mounted for reciprocation in asubstantially horizontal direction relative to said frame; an actuatorconnected to said ball carrier to allow an operator to reciprocate saidball carrier to strike the ball; and means for normally biasing saidactuator and said ball carrier into unactuated positions.
 2. The vehicleof claim 1, wherein: said ball carrier includes an arm projectingoutward from said frame and shaped to capture the ball.
 3. The vehicleof claim 2, wherein: said arm is arcuate in shape.
 4. The vehicle ofclaim 1, wherein: said plurality of wheels includes a pair of tractionwheels mounted on opposite sides of said frame in axial alignment forsupporting the vehicle.
 5. The vehicle of claim 4, which includes: acaster wheel mounted on said frame at a position rearward of saidtraction wheels.
 6. The vehicle of claim 5, which includes: a seatmounted on said frame in a position adjacent to said caster wheel. 7.The vehicle of claim 4, wherein: said driving means comprises a pair ofhandles located on said traction wheels to permit an operator to propelthe vehicle in a desired direction by selectively rotating said tractionwheels.
 8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein: said ball carrier is locatedat the front of said frame; and said actuator comprises a pedalconnected to said ball carrier to permit an operator to reciprocate saidball carrier by actuating said pedal to strike the ball.
 9. The vehicleof claim 1, which includes: an inflatable bumper mounted at theperiphery of said frame.
 10. A vehicle, comprising: a frame; a pluralityof wheels mounted on said frame including a pair of traction wheelsmounted in axial alignment on opposite sides of said frame forsupporting the vehicle; means for driving at least one of said tractionwheels to propel the vehicle; a ball carrier mounted on the front ofsaid frame for engaging and rolling a baLl as the vehicle is propelled,said ball carrier being mounted for reciprocation in a substantiallyhorizontal direction relative to said frame; a pedal connected to saidball carrier to permit an operator to reciprocate said ball carrier byactuating said pedal to strike the ball; and a spring for normallybiasing said pedal and said ball carrier into unactuated positions. 11.The vehicle of claim 10, wherein: said ball carrier includes an armprojecting outward from said frame and shaped to capture the ball. 12.The vehicle of claim 11, wherein: said arm is arcuate in shape.
 13. Thevehicle of claim 10, which includes: a caster wheel mounted on saidframe at a position rearward of said traction wheels.
 14. The vehicle ofclaim 13, which includes: a seat mounted on said frame in a positionadjacent to said caster wheel.
 15. A vehicle, comprising: a frame; aplurality of wheels mounted on said frame; means for driving at leastone of said wheels to propel the vehicle; a device mounted on said framefor striking a ball to impart movement to the ball, said striking devicecomprising an arm shaped to capture the ball and mounted forreciprocation in a substantially horizontal direction relative to saidframe, a pedal connected to said arm to allow an operator to reciprocatesaid arm by actuating said pedal to strike the ball, and a spring fornormally biasing said pedal and said arm into unactuated positions. 16.The vehicle of claim 15, wherein: said driving means comprises a pair ofhandles located on said traction wheels to permit an operator to propelthe vehicle in a desired direction by selectively rotating said tractionwheels.
 17. The vehicle of claim 15, which includes: an inflatablebumper mounted at the periphery of said frame.